Another Horse Project

[Dak0ta52]

This is another Steve Good design called "Reflections." I cut it from 1/4 in sanded pine and backed it with the same material. The upper silhouette is painted black, of course, and the bottom, water, is painted blue. The front is finished with red pine Minwax and the entire piece is sprayed with several coats of poly. It was really a simple project but a lot of fun to cut and finish. Hope you enjoy.

[daveww1]

very nice job

[FrankEV]

Rodney,

First let me say you did a nice job on the cutting.

If by any chance you have looked at some of my work you know that I'm in favor of adding color to scroll saw work.  And I also knoiw every one sees things differently, but in this case, IMHO, the color of the "Blue" you chose is not right.  Much tooooo bright.  It just dosen't not look like water to me.  It draws the eye away for the oveall  image.  

The entire area below, what is supposed to suggest a pond,is representing the waters surface, so to me the black, or a very dark color, reflection is more appropriate. 

Now, if I was wanting to color this cutting I would consider the horse itself.  Using color like white or bright yellow/tan and adding a little detail like a Horses mane would make this very basic pattern into a more apealing piece. 

Again, this is just me, but I feel the very strong grain of the pine is not a great choice for this piece.  It actually works well for the upper half, almost looking like sky, but not for the bottom half.  This actvity of scrolling really has very nuch to do with the choice of wood as it is about the cutting. 

I'll apologise ahead of time if you feel this critique was unwarented.     

 

 

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by FrankEV

[rdatelle]

I agree Frank, the blue does take away from it. My eyes went right to the blue.

[preprius]

just adding to the discussion. . .and my opinion.

How do you use the wood grain for clouds on top half and then use the grain for river or pond ripples in the bottom half?

I added the river concept to expand ideas. 

Maybe use a weak transparent blue/green water color look to the bottom half, but still keep the cutout of the ripples?  Maybe change bright blue for wet mossy green.

overall the concept of pond reflection is good.  

[Dak0ta52]

Frank,

Please don't apologize for any criticism you send my way. To explain why I did what I did, simply, money. I was using what I had on hand to cut and finish. While I'm not living in a tent or under a bridge, I do have to be frugal with what I purchase. I do anticipate a time when I can run down to the local lumber company and purchase exotic pieces of wood to turn into art but at the moment I can't afford to do that. Especially with the current prices of lumber being so high. I've even resorted to breaking down furniture and cabinets a friend was going to dispose of so I could try to get a better quality of wood for my projects.

Also, when I selected the pattern from Steve's catalog, I saw that he had painted his backing all black. I was just trying to do something different and used the only blue I had on hand. I agree it would have been much better with a milder, less intrusive color. I'm not sure if I could have colored the non-reflecting horse a natural color without it blending into the stained color of the cut board. True, a white would have been more "eye drawing" but as you said the blue from the reflection would have been a distraction.

Like I said earlier, I'm not offended by criticism. I've only been at this a couple months. And because I'm still working full-time I'm only able to scroll about one day a week. So as far as experience, I have very little and any advise is greatly appreciated.

Rodney

[FrankEV]

1 hour ago, Dak0ta52 said:

Frank,

Please don't apologize for any criticism you send my way. To explain why I did what I did, simply, money. I was using what I had on hand to cut and finish. While I'm not living in a tent or under a bridge, I do have to be frugal with what I purchase. I do anticipate a time when I can run down to the local lumber company and purchase exotic pieces of wood to turn into art but at the moment I can't afford to do that. Especially with the current prices of lumber being so high. I've even resorted to breaking down furniture and cabinets a friend was going to dispose of so I could try to get a better quality of wood for my projects.

Also, when I selected the pattern from Steve's catalog, I saw that he had painted his backing all black. I was just trying to do something different and used the only blue I had on hand. I agree it would have been much better with a milder, less intrusive color. I'm not sure if I could have colored the non-reflecting horse a natural color without it blending into the stained color of the cut board. True, a white would have been more "eye drawing" but as you said the blue from the reflection would have been a distraction.

Like I said earlier, I'm not offended by criticism. I've only been at this a couple months. And because I'm still working full-time I'm only able to scroll about one day a week. So as far as experience, I have very little and any advise is greatly appreciated.

Rodney

All $$$  concerns understood and very much logical.   

I just have two quick comments:   

Boxes of 12" x 24" Baltic Birch panels can be purchased on line in 1/8 and 1/4 thicknesses.  Yes, not overly cheap outlay but only works out to be about $3 per sheet and affords a lot of cuttting to be done.  And, BTW, it is difficult to find any quality wood at the local lumber yards.  Maybe jus a little bit more costly on line, but much better choices and availability.   

As far a paint is concerned, you can purchase very inexpensive acrylic paints in Walmart and Hobbuy Lobby, but until you get your feet a little bit more planted in this activity, it might be a good idea to just stay with the B&W format for a while.    

    

 

 

[Tomanydogs]

On 7/9/2021 at 2:32 PM, FrankEV said:

 but until you get your feet a little bit more planted in this activity, it might be a good idea to just stay with the B&W format for a while.    

    

 

 

REALLY FRANK ??!!!!

@Dak0ta52 Rodney. I like what you have done with the horse portrait, it was very creative and if you had fun doing it then continue. Don’t let anyone dictate to you what you should or should not be trying or creating. 
The last thing we should be doing on this forum is discouraging creativity. 

Edited July 10, 2021 by Tomanydogs
Still ranting.

[Dak0ta52]

Thank you Tomanydogs,

Believe me, I don't let things like this get under my skin. I am happy with this project. I appreciate the critiques I received but seeing how I only started scrolling about 3 months ago and I'm using material I had on hand... Yes, I could have purchased a more exotic wood. Yes, I could have framed this with some elaborate material. And yes, I could have sent the pattern to those who critiqued and asked them cut it and show me their design. But, I am totally happy with my finished product.

[Tbow388]

I think it is great, Color and all. I think it turned out just as it was supposed to. There could always be things that turn out better and things that people would change but I like exactly how it is.

The wood choice was great too. I love the texture.

Edited July 11, 2021 by Tbow388
Added to it.

[Dak0ta52]

On 7/11/2021 at 12:07 AM, Tbow388 said:

I think it is great, Color and all. I think it turned out just as it was supposed to. There could always be things that turn out better and things that people would change but I like exactly how it is.

The wood choice was great too. I love the texture.

Thank you very much, Tbow

[danny]

Agree with All said above.  Time does make Us a Better Woodworker and

being a part of this Wonderful Family of Scrollers etc. is a Blessing.  Quickie Yes me also when I started did not have much.  Yes Wood from Scraps of peoples throw aways was my go to for Months, but All got Gooder in time.

I do like this horse piece and really haven't seen one with a Reflection.  Great Job.............Danny  :+}

[Fab4]

Hi Rodney:
Here's my 2 cents on this
You did not go far enough with the blue - The water ripples around the bottom half should be painted also
This will add to your great cutting
Side note:
Constructive criticism is always good.  Everyone looks and sees things differently
Voicing ones opinion (when said right) should never be taken as an insult
How else are we to improve if everyone is afraid to offend someone
Take what is going on here as a compliment - All replies mean that they took the time to look at what you did and comment
After all is said and done, the bottom line is, If you are happy with it, then that's all that matters
O.k., I'm done
Keep up the great work Rodney
Fab4 

[TexasDIY]

I like it!  I need to use more color in my projects.  Thanks for sharing!

[Dak0ta52]

6 hours ago, Fab4 said:

Hi Rodney:
Here's my 2 cents on this
You did not go far enough with the blue - The water ripples around the bottom half should be painted also
This will add to your great cutting
Side note:
Constructive criticism is always good.  Everyone looks and sees things differently
Voicing ones opinion (when said right) should never be taken as an insult
How else are we to improve if everyone is afraid to offend someone
Take what is going on here as a compliment - All replies mean that they took the time to look at what you did and comment
After all is said and done, the bottom line is, If you are happy with it, then that's all that matters
O.k., I'm done
Keep up the great work Rodney
Fab4 

Fab4,

The ripples are painted blue. The photo just doesn't show it. The only thing painted black is the silhouette of the top horse. I took the photo in direct sunlight when it was setting. If you notice, there is a shadow cast with the sun to the right. The thin cuts for the ripples only shows the shadow and not the blue.

As I've said in this and other posts, I appreciate criticism. Believe me, I don't take it harshly. You're right that I liked the finished project. And the person I showed it to less than an hour after I took this picture liked it well enough to purchase it. I chose this pattern because it was rather simple and I was new to scrolling. In Steve's catalog he painted this project as an all black silhouette. I thought I'd try to make the reflection stand out by painting the water blue.